Internet+Safety

Internet Safety By: Michelle Jacob & Julie Skelton


 * As simple as that:**

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The Internet is a very cool place. You can find great information and talk with people far away. In the same way crossing guards protect people on the streets, we have an Internet filter to protect people using school computers from bad places. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look twice before crossing the street and it doesn’t mean you won’t find some bad places while browsing the Internet.

Take time to talk with your children. If they run into a bad place on the Internet, just close the window. Help your children understand it is ok to talk to you if they accidentally get into a bad place.

Many people use the Internet to talk with others using chat boards and instant messaging (IM). Many websites like Facebook, MySpace, Xanga, Club Penguin, Twitter, and YouTube are extremely popular ways of “being online with friends.” It’s fun to learn about other cultures by talking with someone from another country. Tell your children it’s not ok to give personal information out to strangers. Remind children that we care for them and we protect them from bad and dangerous places. We need them to help keep us in the loop as they explore the vast place called the Internet.

Bad things happen even in our small towns. We might sugar-coat the issue with our young ones. However, the threat of computer sex-offenders calculating opportunities to “chat” with our students is a real and present danger. ** The growing interest of students to post personal information, including photos, contact details, and attention-grabbing comments, alarm us to talk with our students and guide them away from risky behaviors. **

For more information regarding Internet safety and digital citizenship, please visit: ISTE is for educators and technology professional development. It can be used for research as well as educational ideas for the classroom. This is a link within the above website. Everything parents need to know about keeping their children safe. This would be a great resorce to pass along to our families. This website has it all, something for educators, parents, and students. It makes learning about Internet Safety fun and effective. WiredSafety.org has information on cyberlaw, cybercrime and safety. It has a plethora of resources to protect your children on the web. I-SAFE incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place. Getnetwise.org gives video tutorials on how to adjust the sercurity and parental settings on your computer.   Quiz for kids on internet safety. Upon completion, the child can get their a web surfing license!
 * [|ISTE Digital Citizenship recommended websites]
 * [|ISTE Passport to Digital Citizenship]
 * [|Parents guide to Internet Safety]
 * [|NetSmartz Workshop]
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Students and Meeting Online "Friends"


 * More Statistics**:

42 percent of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once. 35 percent of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five have had it happen more than once. 21 percent of kids have received mean or threatening e-mail or other messages. 58 percent of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of 10 say it has happened more than once. 58 percent have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.
 * Cyberbullying Statistics From [|I-Safe.org]**

What are people doing about it? Oprah has been spreading the word about Internet Safety and devoting shows, time, and money to the cause. [] This will link you to a page on Oprah's website that gives information that all parents should know, and we as educators should be aware of. Check out Wednesday, April 15's show. It has realife stories to share with more mature students so they can see jst how easy it is to become a victim on the Internet. There is also information regarding new legislation that has been passed and another piece of legislation trying to get passed about protecting kids. All you need to do is download the already written letter and send it off via snail mail or email to your congressperson encouraging them to vote for this bill.


 * Protecting our kids is EVERYONE'S job! **